Happy Fourth of July! Independence Day. Let Freedom Ring!

As most people know, the Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, following the Revolutionary War, thus declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (now the United Kingdom), and serving as the precursor to the United States Constitution.

While those two key documents in American history were inked at different times, and though we don’t have a national holiday to celebrate our Constitution, it’s really the United States Constitution that outlines how our Government operates, as well as what freedoms and rights we American citizens enjoy.

In case you’re a little rusty, the United States Constitution commences with, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The Constitution then goes on to include a number of Amendments, the first two of which protect the Freedom of Speech, and the Right to keep and bear Arms.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

On this Fourth of July, and regardless of where you personally stand on the Second Amendment, I urge you to think about the freedoms and rights we Americans have. Wherever and however you celebrate, spend a moment reflecting, and thanking those who fought for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. Remember those who fought in the Revolutionary War, those who fought during our country’s infancy, those who continue to fight for our rights and freedoms today, and everyone in between.

I also urge you to think about what would likely happen if those Constitutionally Protectedrights and freedoms were ever taken away. Taking away rights and freedoms is a slippery slope that takes our country backwards, not forwards. We are a country founded from the beginning, in principle, on personal responsibility, accountability, reliability and empowerment.

So go ahead and think about, or better yet, Exercise your Rights and Freedoms. Get out there and hit the range!